Q: How did the AquaSox finish the Tri-City road series?
A: Everett went 3-3 on the Tri-City road trip, dropping the series finale 7-4 on May 3 after Brandon Eike’s sixth homer tied it. The Frogs are back home at Funko Field starting Tuesday, May 5 for a six-game series vs. the Hillsboro Hops — with Bryce Miller’s rehab start scheduled for Wednesday, May 6.
AquaSox Go 3-3 at Tri-City: Eike Hits His Sixth Homer, But the Frogs Drop the Series Finale 7-4
The Everett AquaSox ended their six-game road trip at Gesa Stadium in Pasco the same way they started it — with some big moments and a result that didn’t go their way.
Sunday’s series finale: Viñeros de Tri-City 7, AquaSox 4. The Frogs tied it up at 3-3 in the fifth inning on Brandon Eike’s sixth homer of the season (a leadoff shot to start the fifth) and a Felnin Celesten RBI single. Luis Suisbel even gave Everett a 4-3 lead in the sixth, scoring from second on a wild pitch. But Tri-City blew the game open in the bottom of the seventh — Caleb Bartolero doubled home the tying run, Anthony Scull ripped a go-ahead RBI double to left, and Matt Coutney crushed a two-run homer over the right-center fence to make it 7-4. The AquaSox bullpen held after that, but the deficit was too large.
Series Summary: A Split on the Road
The full Tri-City road trip shook out like this:
Game 1 (April 28): AquaSox 8, Tri-City 3 — Luis Suisbel career-high-tie 5 RBIs (3-run HR + 2-run single), Eike’s 4th HR, Dollard solid on the mound.
Game 2 (April 29): AquaSox 10, Tri-City 7 — Rally from 7-7 in the eighth, Celesten go-ahead RBI, Ellis 2-run HR in the 9th, Little save.
Game 3 (April 30): Tri-City 6, AquaSox 4 — Eike hit his 5th HR but Tri-City got the run support Everett couldn’t match.
Game 4 (May 1): Tri-City 7 (walk-off) — Randy de Jesus walked off the Frogs with a late hit.
Game 5 (May 2): Tri-City 8, AquaSox 6 — Eike doubled to spark a late rally, Suisbel RBI single, but a five-run fifth inning by Tri-City was too much.
Game 6 (May 3): Tri-City 7, AquaSox 4 — Eike HR #6, Celesten RBI single, Suisbel scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch, but a four-run Tri-City seventh ended it.
Final road trip line: 3-3. Not ideal, but not a disaster. The Frogs are 12-11 on the young season and heading home with legitimate momentum candidates in Eike and Celesten.
Prospect Watch: Eike Is for Real
Let’s talk about Brandon Eike, because his power has been the story of this road trip.
Six home runs in the first 23 games of the 2026 season. Eike is a physical outfielder who generates lift and backspin, and he’s been driving the ball to all parts of the park. His leadoff homer in Sunday’s fifth inning — hit with the team trailing 3-0 and needing a spark — showed the kind of situational awareness a young power hitter needs. He’s not just a pull-or-nothing guy. He’s using the whole field.
Keep an eye on Eike in the homestand. If he gets going at Funko Field, the box score is going to be fun to read.
Felnin Celesten, for his part, continues to be the most complete hitter on this roster. The NWL Player of the Week from the previous series hasn’t cooled off. He got the tying RBI single in the fifth inning on Sunday, and his ability to put the barrel on the ball in crucial situations is what separates him from the other prospects on this club.
Walter Ford Starts the Series Finale
AquaSox starter Walter Ford made the start in the series finale — one of the younger arms in Everett’s 2026 rotation. He went 4.2 innings, allowing three earned runs (two earned) with some wild pitch issues that cost his catcher Josh Caron. Ford showed flashes: he was sharp in the first two innings before the wheels got wobbly in the third. Adam Smith relieved him and threw 1.1 scoreless innings in his first AquaSox appearance — a 14th-round Padres pick from 2021 who now has a clean line on his debut stat sheet.
Coming Up: Hillsboro Hops at Funko Field, May 5-10
The Frogs are home. Six games at Funko Field starting Tuesday, May 5 against the Hillsboro Hops (D-backs affiliate, Northwest League).
Homestand schedule:
Tuesday, May 5 (Cinco de Mayo): 7:05 PM
Wednesday, May 6: 7:05 PM — Bryce Miller Mariners rehab start
Thursday, May 7: 7:05 PM
Friday, May 8: 12:05 PM (afternoon game — also Game 1 of Silvertips WHL Final that night)
Saturday, May 9: 7:05 PM
Sunday, May 10 (Mother’s Day): 1:05 PM
Don’t Miss Wednesday: Bryce Miller Is Back at Funko Field
If you’re only making one game this homestand, make it Wednesday May 6.
Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller is scheduled for his third AquaSox rehab start at 7:05 PM on Wednesday night against Hillsboro. Miller’s previous Funko Field outing — April 24 against Spokane — was one of the best nights Funko has seen this season: 3 innings, 47 pitches, 6 strikeouts, zero runs, 98+ mph fastball, didn’t allow a baserunner until the third inning. That’s not a rehab guy going through the motions. That’s a Mariners starter getting sharp.
His prior start at Tacoma on April 18 was more modest (1.2 IP), but his April 24 Everett outing showed the command and velocity that made him one of Seattle’s better starters in 2024 (12-8, 2.94 ERA, 180 innings). If this homestand goes as expected, Wednesday night in Everett could be Miller’s last minor league appearance before returning to Seattle.
And just in case you need the full Everett sell: Friday May 8 has a 12:05 PM first pitch — so you can catch the afternoon game, grab dinner, and still get to Angel of the Winds Arena for the Silvertips WHL Championship Final Game 1 that evening. Double header of Everett sports on a Friday. Mark it down.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AquaSox record after the Tri-City road trip?
The AquaSox went 3-3 on the Tri-City road trip and are 12-11 on the 2026 Northwest League season.
When do the AquaSox play next at Funko Field?
The AquaSox host the Hillsboro Hops at Funko Field starting Tuesday, May 5 at 7:05 PM. The six-game homestand runs through Sunday, May 10.
When is Bryce Miller’s next AquaSox rehab start?
Bryce Miller is scheduled to start Wednesday, May 6 at Funko Field at 7:05 PM against the Hillsboro Hops. His previous AquaSox outing on April 24 featured 3 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts and 98+ mph velocity.
Who had the most notable performances in the Tri-City series?
Brandon Eike hit his 5th and 6th home runs of the season during the road trip. Felnin Celesten delivered multiple RBIs. Luis Suisbel had a career-high-tie 5-RBI game in the opener. Zach Dollard was sharp in Game 1, and Adam Smith had a solid debut in Game 6.
Who are the Hillsboro Hops?
The Hillsboro Hops are the Arizona Diamondbacks’ High-A affiliate in the Northwest League, based in Hillsboro, Oregon. They’re one of Everett’s NWL divisional rivals.
More on the AquaSox: AquaSox Wrap Tri-City Road Trip This Weekend, Then Bryce Miller Comes to Funko Field Wednesday | AquaSox Rally to Beat Tri-City 10-7 | Bryce Miller’s Second AquaSox Rehab Start Is Wednesday May 6 at Funko Field
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